Australian Football

Often likened to an eel, South Melbourne's William Windley was guile, verve and elusiveness personified. He was an amateur, who even paid for his own football equipment. He made his debut with South in the VFA in 1886 and was a member of the club's 1888, 1889 and 1890 premiership teams. Strong overhead, he played most of his football in the centre, and was widely acknowledged as one of the VFA's foremost players.

Windley continued with South in the VFL, and was in the centre in the 1899 Grand Final loss to Fitzroy. Windley captained the southerners in 1900 and 1902, by which time he was playing mainly as a rover. He also played a number of games as a forward during his last couple of seasons. When he retired in 1905 he had played 129 VFL games and kicked 36 goals.

Author - John Devaney